Deployable monitoring device having self-righting housing and associated method

ABSTRACT

A deployable monitoring device is provided comprising a self-righting housing having a video capturing device operably engaged therewith. The housing has a base and an opposed end disposed along an axis, with a center of gravity disposed about the base so as to be self-righting along the axis such that the housing, when righted, is supported by the base. The video capturing device is configured to capture video data of a scene external to the housing. The video data can be transmitted by a transceiver module to a station remotely disposed from the housing, so as to provide a remote visual depiction of the scene. An associated method is also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/988,177, filed on Nov. 12, 2004, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/903,462,filed on Jul. 11, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,831,699, and which arehereby incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to surveillance equipment and, moreparticularly, to a deployable monitoring device having a self-rightinghousing and associated method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In certain situations, it may be highly desirable and advantageous tohave a close-up view of a particular location or scene from the safetyof a remote vantage point. For example, in a hostage situation or in astand-off with a suspect barricaded in a building or compound, lawenforcement officials must often rely on binoculars or other telescopicdevices for visual monitoring of the scene. However, such visual devicesare generally only useful where a clear line of sight and/or sufficientambient light is available. Helicopters or other airborne devices may beuseful in some situations, but the expense, difficult and limiteddeployment capabilities, obtrusiveness, and limited visual accessassociated with these airborne devices generally limits theeffectiveness of these devices in such situations. In addition,alternate or supplemental monitoring capabilities may also be desirable,but limited by access to the scene. For example, aural monitoring may beperformed by magnifying or “eavesdropper” microphones from a distantsurveillance point. However, the effectiveness of such devices may belimited by extraneous noise therebetween. In other instances, chemicalmonitoring of the scene, for example, may also be advantageous so as toprovide advanced warning of any noxious chemicals on the scene.

In many instances, the immediate and transient nature of thesesituations precludes the establishment of permanent monitoringprovisions on the scene. For example, the aforementioned hostage orstand-off situations are instantaneous and unpredictable and may occurin a wide variety of sometimes-inaccessible locales. Other situationswhich present similar concerns may include, for example, industrial orotherwise inaccessible accident sites, remote areas where reports ofpoaching having been received, or areas where enemy troop movement oractivity is suspected.

Thus, there exists a need for a monitoring device capable of allowingclose-up visual monitoring of a scene from the safety of a vantage pointdisposed remotely from the scene. Such a monitoring device shoulddesirably be portable, unobtrusive, and capable of being expedientlydeployed by various mechanisms, when and where necessary. The monitoringdevice should also be configured so as to be readily modified to provideenhanced monitoring capabilities such as, for example, aural andchemical monitoring. When deployed, the monitoring device should besufficiently rugged to survive the deployment thereof in proper workingorder, while also being capable of withstanding the environment at thescene. Such a monitoring device should also desirably provide a 360degree field of view of the immediate scene around the device. In someinstances, it may also be advantageous for functions of the monitoringdevice to be configured so as to be controllable from the remotelydisposed station.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above and other needs are met by the present invention which, in oneembodiment, provides a deployable monitoring device comprising aself-righting housing having a video capturing device operably engagedtherewith. The housing has a base and an opposed end disposed along anaxis. The housing is further configured to have a center of gravitydisposed about the base so as to be self-righting along the axis suchthat the housing, when righted, is supported by the base. The videocapturing device is operably engaged with the housing and is configuredto capture video data of a scene external to the housing. In someinstances, the video data of the scene may be transmitted by atransceiver module to a station disposed remotely from the housing andconfigured to process the video data so as to provide a remote visualdepiction of the scene.

Another advantageous aspect of the present invention comprises a methodof viewing a scene from a station disposed remotely thereto. Accordingto one embodiment of the present invention, a monitoring devicecomprises a video capturing device having a transceiver module operablyengaged therewith, wherein the video capturing device and thetransceiver module are disposed within a self-righting housing. Thetransceiver module may send the video data to the remote station via awireless communication link. Accordingly, the monitoring device is firstdeployed to the scene, wherein video data of the scene is then receivedat the remotely disposed station from the video capturing device, viathe transceiver module, to thereby provide a remote visual depiction ofthe scene.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a monitoring devicecapable of allowing close-up visual monitoring of a scene from thesafety of a station disposed remotely from the scene, wherein themonitoring device is portable, unobtrusive, and can be expedientlydeployed by various mechanisms, when and where necessary. In someinstances, embodiments of the present invention also provide a spatialorientation in conjunction with the video data of the scene so as toallow a viewer to spatially orient the scene with respect to thehousing. Embodiments of the invention may further provide aself-righting housing with one or more video capturing devices disposedtherein. Such a monitoring device attains an advantageous uprightorientation upon deployment to thereby allow the one or more videocapturing devices to provide a 360 degree field of view of the immediatescene around the device to the remotely disposed monitoring station,wherein multiple video capturing devices may be selectively,simultaneously, or sequentially actuated. Further embodiments of themonitoring device are configured so as to be readily modified to provideenhanced monitoring capabilities such as, for example, aural andchemical monitoring. In addition, some embodiments of the monitoringdevice may also include, for example, a light source for illuminatingthe scene, a motion sensor for detecting motion within the scene, anaudio sensor for providing aural monitoring of the scene, and a chemicalsensor for providing chemical monitoring of the scene, as well as adeterrent device and/or a distraction device. When deployed, themonitoring device is configured to be sufficiently rugged to survive thedeployment in proper working order, as well as capable of withstandingthe environment at the scene. In some instances, functions of themonitoring device are advantageously configured to be controllable fromthe remotely disposed station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a self-righting housingaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a schematic cut-away representation of a deployablemonitoring device according to one embodiment of the present inventionhaving a self-righting housing and configured to communicate with aremote station;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of a deployable monitoring device,taken along line 2B-2B of FIG. 2A, showing the field of view of thevideo capturing devices contained therein according to one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cut-away representation of a deployable monitoringdevice according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a schematic plan view of an exemplary scene; and

FIG. 4B is a schematic lateral view of an exemplary scene, correspondingto the plan view shown in FIG. 4A, captured by a video capturing deviceassociated with a deployable monitoring device according to oneembodiment of the present invention and having a spatial orientationassociated therewith.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a deployablemonitoring device according to the present invention, the device beinggenerally indicated by the numeral 100. According to one advantageousembodiment of the present invention, the device 100 is configured so asto be self-righting upon deployment. Accordingly, the device 100includes a housing 110 which, in one instance, is ovately shaped with arelatively wide base 120 and an opposed end 130 disposed along an axis140. The center of gravity 150 is also advantageously disposed along theaxis 140 toward the base 120 such that the housing 110 is self-rightingabout the base 120. The center of gravity 150 may be established in thedesired position through, for example, weighted construction of thehousing 110 to shift weight toward the base 120 or distribution of thecontents within the housing 110 such that heavier components aredisposed toward the base 120. The base 120 may also include a flatportion 125 centered about the axis 140 so as to facilitate thestability of the housing 110 in the self-righted position, wherein theopposed end 130 is disposed generally above the base 120. In addition,there may be instances where the device 100 also includes an actuatableself-righting mechanism (not shown), disposed within or externally tothe housing 110. Such a self-righting mechanism would facilitaterighting of the housing 110 when the self-righting configuration isineffective, such as, for example, when the device 100 is deployed on aslope or where the device 100 lands on a soft or conforming surface.

Another advantageous aspect of the present invention relates to thedeployability of the device 100. The device 100 is configured so as tobe deployed by, for example, being thrown by an individual, dropped fromabove such as from a roof or from a plane, or propelled from a launchingdevice such as a launching gun, a grenade launcher, or an operablyengaged rocket device. For facilitating such deployment, the device 100may also include, for example, a parachute device for controlling thedescent rate and impact forces experienced by the device 100. It will beunderstood, however, that there are many ways of deploying a portabledevice as described herein which will be appreciated by one skilled inthe art. Accordingly, the housing 110 is scalable and constructed tohave the properties necessary for withstanding the conditions ofdeployment. For example, the housing 110 should be strong and impactresistant and may be constructed from materials such as a suitablepolymer, a composite material, or a lightweight alloy such as a titaniumalloy. In some instances, the housing 110 may be constructed in twoparts such that the base 120 and the opposed end 130 are separablyengaged. In such instances, the portion of the housing 110 including thebase 120 may be comprised of, for example, aluminum, an aluminum alloy,or steel so as to provide strength and weight for shifting the center ofgravity 150 toward the base 120. It will thus be appreciated by oneskilled in the art that the housing 110 may be appropriately constructedaccording to the requirements of the particular application. Forexample, the device 100 and/or housing 110 may be constructed so as tobe water resistant, waterproof, capable of withstanding extremetemperature ranges, chemically resistant, fire resistant, impact orshock resistant, abrasion resistant, capable of withstanding extremegravitational forces, or the like.

As schematically shown in FIG. 2A, one particularly advantageousembodiment of the present invention comprises a deployable device 100having a self-righting housing 110 configured to house a video capturingdevice 160 so as to facilitate remote video monitoring and surveillanceof a scene at a station 170 disposed apart from the device 100. Insituations such as, for example, a hostage situation or a stand-off witha suspect barricaded in a building or compound, the device 100 may bethrown or otherwise deployed and delivered to within close proximity ofa strategic site (otherwise referred to herein as a “scene”). Onceactuated, the device allows law enforcement officials or other personnelto monitor the scene from the safety of a position remote from the scenethrough an appropriate station 170. Thus, visual access to andsurveillance of the scene is facilitated where access is otherwiseimpracticable. Accordingly, it will be understood that the device 100may be applicable to many different situations requiring remote and/orunobtrusive visual monitoring, within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention. For example, the device 100 may be configured to bewaterborne so as to monitor wave height and/or current conditions duringa hurricane or the condition of floor underlying the body of water. Inother instances, the device 100 may be deployed to remote wildernessareas to allow monitoring for poachers. Additionally anticipated is, forexample, deployment of a device 100 to a hazardous environment site thatis otherwise unsafe for human access. Still, too, such a device 100could be used in instances of, for example, building collapse during anearthquake to monitor for survivors in unstable or inaccessible areas.

As further shown in FIG. 2A, the device 100 may comprise one or morevideo capturing devices 160 such as, for example, a small CMOS or CCDcamera module 165, mounted with respect to the housing 110 andconfigured to capture video data of the scene through the housing 110.The video capturing device 160 may also further comprise a lens member180 operably engaged with the camera module 165 so as to facilitatecapturing of the video data therethrough and/or over a predefined fieldof view. In some instances, the housing 110 may be at least partiallytranslucent such that the video data is captured through the housing110. In other instances, an appropriate orifice (not shown) may beformed through the housing 110, wherein the lens member 180 or thecamera module 165 itself is engaged with the orifice so as to directlycapture the video data of the scene. The camera module 165 andassociated lens member 180, as with any other component disposed withinthe housing 110, are also configured with the properties required of thehousing 110 for the anticipated application. For example, the cameramodule 165 and the lens member 180 are configured to be shock and impactresistant, waterproof, and capable of withstanding extreme gravitationalforces where such properties are required for the housing 110. Inaddition, the video capturing devices 160 may be further configured withaccessories necessary for effective operation thereof such as, forinstance, mechanical or electronic focus mechanisms. Note that CMOS andCCD camera modules 165 with associated lenses 180 are merely examples ofthe video capturing devices 160 which may be utilized within the presentinvention and that many other types of video capturing devices 160 maybe applied where and when appropriate in accordance with the spirit andscope of the present invention.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the device 100 includesone or more video capturing devices 160, as described above, disposedabout the housing 110 so as to provide, for example, a 360 degree visualmonitoring field of view around the housing 110. As schematically shownin FIG. 2B, for example, four video capturing devices 160 may bedisposed at 90 degree intervals, with each video capturing device 160being configured to cover about a 90 degree field of view at a certaindistance from the housing 110. Accordingly, the video capturing devices160 may be fewer in number, if each is configured to cover a largerfield of view, or greater in number if, for example, each is configuredto cover a smaller field of view or if overlap in the fields of view ofthe video capturing devices 160 is desired. Further, it will beunderstood that the video capturing devices 160 may be, for instance,concurrently actuated, selectively actuated, or sequentially actuated toprovide the necessary or desired visual monitoring of the scene externalto the housing 110.

Once deployed, the device 100 may land or otherwise become positioned inmany different orientations. That is, the one or more video capturingdevices 160 may be pointed in different directions, wherein a viewer ofthe captured video data may not necessarily be aware of the spatialorientation of the scene, or any objects disposed therein, about thedevice 100. That is, anyone viewing the captured video data may not havean external reference with which to associate a position or direction ofthe scene, or objects therein, with respect to the device 100.Accordingly, some embodiments of the present invention may include aspatial orientation device 300 (as shown in FIG. 2A) disposed within thehousing 110, wherein such a spatial orientation device 300 is configuredto be capable of associating a spatial orientation with the video datacaptured by the video capturing device(s) 160. The spatial orientationdevice 300 may comprise, for example, a Global Positioning System (GPS)device or a compass device. In this manner, the spatial orientationdevice 300 may associate, for example, geodetic data with the housing110 and/or the scene, or a compass heading or direction of the scenewith respect to the housing 110. One such example is shown in FIGS. 4Aand 4B.

FIG. 4A illustrates one example whereby the deployed device 100 capturesvideo data of a target (i.e., a couch or a gunman) 350 and, in thisinstance, the video capturing device 160 is disposed easterly of thetarget 350 and directed in a westerly direction (i.e., 270°). As such,when the video data of the target 350 is captured, the video dataproduces a lateral depiction of the scene (i.e., the “picture” capturedby the video capturing device 160). As shown in FIG. 4B, the lateraldepiction shows a picture of the target 350, as well as spatialorientation data 400 associated with the scene and/or in relation to thedevice 100. The spatial orientation data 400 may be provided in a textformat or, in some instances, may be provided in a graphical or audioformat, where appropriate or desired, and provided in addition to or inthe alternative to the text format. Such spatial orientation data 400may include, for example, the position 410 of the device 100, thecompass direction or heading 420 of the target 350 with respect to thehousing 110, and the range or distance 430 of the target 350 withrespect to the housing 110. The position 410 may be determined, forexample, by a GPS device, while the direction may be determined, forinstance, by a GPS device or compass device. The range may bedetermined, for example, by a range-determining device 450 (as shown inFIG. 2A) associated, for instance, with the housing 110 and/or the videocapturing device(s) 160. Such a range-determining device 450 maycomprise, for example, a laser range finder, a sonar device, or anyother suitable device, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may also comprise a cross-hairgenerator (not shown) operably engaged with the video capturingdevice(s) 160 and configured to be capable of associating a cross-hairindicator 500 (as shown in FIG. 4B) with the captured video data of thescene. Accordingly, the cross-hair indicator 500 is associated with thescene so as to provide an indication of the direction and/or aim of theparticular video capturing device 160 with respect to the scene. In someinstances, the cross-hair indicator 500 may be generated so as to bestationary in correspondence with the aim of the particular videocapturing device 160. However, in other instances, the cross-hairindicator 500 may be movable with respect to the scene. In still otherinstances, the cross-hair generator may be capable of generating acursor-type cross-hair 550 that may be movable with respect to thescene. Such a cursor-type cross-hair 550 may be beneficial, for example,in selecting an object with the scene for which spatial orientation isdesired. For instance, upon the cursor-type cross-hair 550 being movedto select an object with the scene, the GPS device and/or compass device(spatial orientation device 300) can determine the heading or directionof the object with respect to the housing 110, while therange-determining device 450 can determine the distance of the objectfrom the housing 110. The GPS device can then be implemented todetermine the geodetic coordinates of the object. Such geodeticcoordinates can then be used, for example, to guide munitions, to plan astrike, to monitor movement of the object, or for other functions.

Due to the electronic configuration of the video monitoring devices 160,associated power and control equipment are generally required to be inoperable engagement with the video capturing devices 160 within thehousing 110. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2A, the device 100 mayfurther comprise a power source 190, control circuitry 200, and anantenna 210. Note that the operative connections between the variouscomponents within the housing 110 have been omitted in FIG. 2A (and FIG.3) for clarity, but any operative engagement described herein will beunderstood to comprise the necessary connections for proper operation ofthe specified components. The power source 190 may comprise, forexample, an appropriate battery, which may be single-use orrechargeable, while having the necessary amp-hour rating for theapplication. Generally, the power source 190 is disposed toward the base120 so as to add weight for shifting the center of gravity 150 towardthe base 120. The control circuitry 200 is operably engaged with thepower source 190 and configured to provide local control over at leastthe video capturing devices 160. The control circuitry 200 may furthercomprise a transceiver module 205 interfaced with the antenna 210,wherein the antenna 210 may disposed internally within the housing 110or externally of the housing 110 as shown in phantom in FIG. 2A. Thetransceiver module 205 facilitates the transmission of the capturedvideo data of the scene, via the antenna 210, to the station 170disposed remotely from the device 100. In some instances, thetransceiver module 205 may also receive control commands for componentswithin the device 100 from the station 170, via the antenna 210.Generally, communication between the device 100 and the station 170 isaccomplished via a wireless link though, in some instances, a wirelinelink may be appropriate and is thus considered to be within the scope ofthe invention.

The station 170 may comprise, for example, a portable hand-held devicewith a viewable screen 172, wherein the hand-held device includes atransceiver (not shown) with an antenna 174 in communication therewith.In some instances, the station is configured to receive the video dataand associated spatial orientation data 400 from the device 100 via theantenna 174 and the transceiver, and to process the video data andspatial orientation data 400 so as to provide a spatially-orientedvisual representation of the scene on the screen 172. In otherinstances, the station 170 may include various controls 176 for remotelycontrolling aspects of the device 100. For example, the station may beconfigured to selectively power on and off the control circuitry 200and/or the video capturing devices 160 by directing selective engagementof the power source 190. In other instances, the station 170 may beconfigured to control the focus of each video capturing device 160.

The device 100 may still further include other components for enhancingoperation thereof for the particular application or providing thecapability of gathering additional information about the scene. Forexample, the device 100 may include one or more light sources 220 forilluminating the scene for the video capturing devices 160. In someinstances, one or more of the light sources 220 may comprise a brightstrobe light or the like for blinding or otherwise distracting someoneon the scene and in the vicinity of the device 100. Note also that atleast one of the light sources 220 may provide light in, for example,the infrared or other light spectrum. In such instances, the videocapturing devices 160 may also be configured so as to capture video datain the infrared spectrum so as to provide thermal imaging or nightvision capabilities. In other instances, the CMOS and/or CCD cameramodules 165 may, for example, be capable of capturing video data indarkness conditions where the scene is illuminated with an infraredlight illuminator, such as an infrared LED, providing illumination nearthe infrared spectrum. FIG. 2A shows one example where four lightsources 220 are provided, each light source 220 corresponding to one ofthe video capturing devices 160, though the number, disposition, andtype of light source 220 used in the device 100 may vary according tothe particular application. Such light sources 220 may be operablyengaged with the control circuitry 200 so as to allow remote controlthereof from the station 170, or the device 100 may be configured toselectively actuate the light sources 220 when certain lightingconditions exist at the scene or when the corresponding video capturingdevice 160 is actuated.

Still further, the device 100 may include an audio monitoring device 230for providing aural data from the scene. Such an audio monitoring device230 may comprise, for example, an audio microphone or the like operablyengaged with the control circuitry 200 so as to transmit the aural datavia the transceiver module 205 to the remote station 170. The audiomonitoring device 230 may, in some instances, be controlled from thestation 170, with respect to on/off commands or adjusting the gain ofthe audio monitoring device 230 according to the sound levels at thescene. In some instances, the audio monitoring device 230 mayincorporate an audio emitting device (not shown) for emitting audiocontent such as loud noises for distraction purposes or to provide amethod for personnel manning the station 170 to verbally communicatewith persons at the scene. In addition, since each additional componentwithin the device 100 may increase the power consumption from the powersource 190, conservation and careful meting of the available power is animportant consideration. As such, any unnecessary power consumption maybe restricted by, for example, turning off certain components until thedevice 100 has been deployed or until the conditions at the scenerequire the use of those components. Such power conservation may becontrolled from the station 170 or the device 100 may include, forexample, sensing devices 240 such as motion sensing devices known to oneskilled in the art. Such sensing devices 240 may be implemented in avariety of manners, for example, by being operably engaged withindividual video capturing devices 160 or audio monitoring devices 230,or by being configured to operably engage the control circuitry 200, forcontrolling the on/off operation of individual components up tosubstantially the entire device 100.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention, wherein the device 100 includes a single video capturingdevice 160 disposed within the housing 110 and operably engaged with apan-tilt mechanism 250 (otherwise referred to herein as a “gimbalmechanism”). Accordingly, the housing 110 is configured to be at leastpartially translucent for allowing the video capturing device 160 tocapture video data of the scene therethrough. The pan-tilt mechanism 250allows the video capturing device 160 to be rotated about the axis 140,for example, for a full 360 degrees while also allowing the videocapturing device 160 to be tilted from, for instance, about 30 degreesbelow the horizontal to about 90 degrees above the horizontal. In someinstances, the pan-tilt mechanism 250 may allow the video capturingdevice 160 to tilt through 90 degrees above the horizontal and continueto about 30 degrees below the horizontal in opposing relation to thestarting position. Such a configuration may allow the device 100 toprovide visual monitoring of the scene in instances where, for example,the device 100 has not achieved a full upright orientation upondeployment. The pan-tilt mechanism 250 may further be, for example,remotely controlled from the station 170 via a wireless link through thetransceiver module 205 or automatically controlled by the sensingdevices 240 as previously discussed, while being configured to beconsistent with the power conservation scheme implemented for the device100. Note that a similar function to the pan-tilt mechanism 250 may beat least partially achieved in embodiments having fixed video capturingdevices 160 by providing lens members 180 with sufficiently wide fieldsof view so as to be at least partially capable of capturing video dataof the scene where the housing 110 does not completely achieve anupright position upon deployment.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 shows that the device 100 maycomprise even more additional components such as, for example, achemical sensor 260 configured to be sensitive to certain noxiouschemicals. The chemical sensor 260 may further operably engage thecontrol circuitry 200 so as to be communicable with the station 170 totransmit chemical monitoring data thereto. Such functionality wouldallow the chemical status of, for instance, an accident scene to beremotely monitored to determine whether a hazardous material situationis present before dispatching rescue personnel to the area or, as afurther example, to chemically monitor the site of a drug transaction soas to determine the presence of illegal substances, wherein thisinformation may be later applicable as evidence in legal proceedings.Further, since a device 100 as described herein may be used in tacticalor other sensitive situations where it is desired that the device 100not be taken into possession of the persons being monitored, the device100 may also include a self-destruction device 270 capable of disablingor destroying the device 100. Such a self-destruction device 270 may betriggered through, for example, a command initiated at the station 170and received through the transceiver module 205, or through a sensingdevice (not shown) engaged therewith for triggering the self-destructiondevice 270 upon detecting touch, motion in the scene, movement of thehousing 110, or the like and as will be appreciated by one skilled inthe art as being within the spirit and scope of the present invention.Note that, in alternate embodiments, the self-destruction device 270 maybe replaced with a smoke bomb, tear gas charge, or other like device forcreating a distraction or deterrent at the scene.

While having described a deployable monitoring device 100 having thecharacteristics, functions, features, and applications as describedherein, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that thedeployable monitoring device 100 may have one or more methods of useassociated therewith. For example, one method involves deploying themonitoring device 100 having a video capturing device 160 to a scene.Thereafter, video data captured by the video capturing device 160 andassociated spatial orientation data 400 captured by the spatialorientation device 300 and/or range-determining device 450, is receivedat a remotely disposed station 170 so as to provide a spatially-orientedremote visual depiction of the scene. Thus, it will be understood thatthe various additional components associated with or capable of beingincorporated into the device 100 as described herein may be incorporatedinto the example method according to the corresponding function of eachcomponent as will be understood by one skilled in the art. One skilledin the art will also appreciate that, in some instances, the describedmethod may lend itself to automation, and, therefore, associatedcomputer devices and computer software program products may be devisedfor accomplishing one or more of the functions of a deployablemonitoring device as detailed herein.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a monitoring devicecapable of allowing close-up visual monitoring of a scene from thesafety of a vantage point disposed remotely from the scene. Such amonitoring device may be advantageously scaled or otherwise adapted tobe portable, unobtrusive, and capable of being expediently deployed byvarious mechanisms, when and where necessary. Embodiments of themonitoring device may also be configured so as to be readily modified toprovide enhanced monitoring capabilities such as, for example, aural,chemical, and seismic monitoring of the remote scene. Such a monitoringdevice may also include monitoring as well as offensive measures fortactical or otherwise sensitive deployment. The monitoring device isfurther constructed to be sufficiently rugged, both with respect to thehousing and the components therein, to survive deployment in properworking order, while also being capable of withstanding the environmentat the scene. Such a monitoring device is also capable of providing a360 degree field of view of the immediate scene around the device 100,including providing spatial orientation data 400 so as to spatiallyorient the scene with respect to the device 100, in some cases even whenthe device does not fully right upon deployment or the device isdeployed in low light or even total darkness conditions. In someinstances, the monitoring device may also be advantageously configuredsuch that functions of the monitoring device may be controlled from theremotely disposed station. Embodiments of the monitoring device may alsoincorporate power conservation measures in instances of prolongeddeployment or where relatively high power consumption components areutilized within the device.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come tomind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains havingthe benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions andthe associated drawings. For example, the device 100 may include furthercomponents such as a seismic sensor for monitoring seismic activity atthe scene. The device 100 could also be configured to be mounted on apole of other extension for providing monitoring from a higher vantagepoint. The device 100 may also be suspended by a rope, string or othertether device, wherein the tether may also be used to retrieve thedevice 100 in instances where the device 100 is thrown or otherwisedeployed to the scene.

In other instances, the device 100 may be provided with a distractiondevice (not shown) operably engaged with the housing 110 and configuredto be selectively actuatable (i.e., remotely from the station 170 orthrough a actuation sensor (not shown) engaged therewith) so as tointroduce a distraction associated with the device 100 into the scene.For example, such a distraction device may comprise, for example, anoise emitter, a smoke emitter, an odor emitter, or a light emitter. Oneskilled in the art will appreciate that such a distraction device mayconfigured in many different manners and that the possible variants areprovided for example only and are not intended to be limiting. Forinstance, the light emitter may be a bright strobe light or the like forblinding or otherwise distracting someone on the scene and in thevicinity of the device 100. Likewise, the noise emitter may comprise,for example, a compressed air source configured to release the airthrough an orifice so as to produce a high pitched whistle. In addition,the smoke device may comprise a smoke bomb, and the odor emitter maycomprise a tear gas charge or the like.

The device 100 may also comprise a deterrent device (not shown), alsoconfigured to be selectively actuatable so as to deter contact with thedevice 100 or housing thereof. Such a deterrent device may comprise, forexample, an electric shock device capable of imparting an electric shockto a person touching the housing 110. The deterrent device may alsocomprise a noise emitter, a smoke emitter, or a light emitter, aspreviously described with respect to the distraction device. However,the deterrent device may also comprise, for example, a liquid emitter ora gas emitter configured to emit a suitable substance for deterringcontact with the housing 110. In some instances, the emitted substancemay be configured so as to overcome or otherwise disable persons orother animals present about the device 100. Accordingly, the deterrentdevice may also be configured in many different manners as will beappreciated by one skilled in the art.

Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to belimited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they areused in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation.

1. A deployable monitoring device comprising: a housing having a baseand an opposed end disposed along an axis, the housing being configuredto have a center of gravity disposed about the base so as to beself-righting along the axis such that the housing, when righted, issupported by the base; and a video capturing device operably engagedwith the housing and configured to capture video data of a sceneexternal to the housing.
 2. A device according to claim 1 furthercomprising a transceiver module disposed within the housing and operablyengaged with the video capturing device, the transceiver module beingadapted to transmit the video data of the scene to a station disposedremotely from the scene, the station being configured to process thevideo data so as to provide a visual depiction of the scene.
 3. A deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein the base further comprises a planar portionhaving the axis perpendicular thereto so as to facilitate stabilizationof the housing about the base upon self-righting of the housing suchthat the housing is supported by the planar portion.
 4. A deviceaccording to claim 1 further comprising a power source disposed withinthe housing and operably engaged with the video capturing device.
 5. Adevice according to claim 1 wherein the video capturing device comprisesa video capture module configured to capture video data through a lensmember in communication therewith.
 6. A device according to claim 5wherein the video capture module and the lens member are disposed withinthe housing and the housing is configured such that the video capturemodule is capable of capturing video data of the scene through thehousing via the lens member.
 7. A device according to claim 6 whereinthe housing is at least partially translucent so as to allow the lensmember to receive video data of the scene therethrough.
 8. A deviceaccording to claim 5 wherein the video capture module is disposed withinthe housing and the lens member is at least partially disposed in anorifice defined by the housing such that the video capture module iscapable of capturing video data of the scene via the lens member.
 9. Adevice according to claim 1 wherein the video capturing device comprisesat least one of a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) cameraand a charge coupled device (CCD) camera.
 10. A device according toclaim 1 wherein the video capturing device is configured to beresponsive to at least one of visible light and infrared light.
 11. Adevice according to claim 1 further comprising a light source operablyengaged with the housing and configured to illuminate the scene.
 12. Adevice according to claim 1 wherein the video capturing device isconfigured to automatically focus on the scene.
 13. A device accordingto claim 2 wherein the video capturing device is configured to bemanually focused and is responsive to a focus command from the remotelydisposed station received via the transceiver module.
 14. A deviceaccording to claim 1 further comprising a motion sensor device operablyengaged with the video capturing device for actuating the videocapturing device to capture video data upon detection of a motion in thescene.
 15. A device according to claim 2 further comprising an audiosensor operably engaged with the transceiver module and configured tocapture audio data from the scene, wherein the transceiver module isfurther adapted to transmit the audio data from the scene to theremotely disposed station so as to provide remote audio monitoring ofthe scene.
 16. A device according to claim 2 further comprising achemical sensor operably engaged with the transceiver module andconfigured to capture chemical composition data from the scene, whereinthe transceiver module is further adapted to transmit the chemicalcomposition data from the scene to the remotely disposed station so asto provide remote chemical monitoring of the scene.
 17. A deviceaccording to claim 2 further comprising a self-destruction deviceoperably engaged with the transceiver module and configured to destroythe monitoring device, the self-destruction device being furtherconfigured to be at least one of automatically activated and manuallyactivated in response to a destruct command from the remotely disposedstation received via the transceiver module.
 18. A device according toclaim 2 further comprising a gimbal mechanism operably engaged betweenthe video capturing device and the housing, the gimbal mechanism beingconfigured to at least one of pan, tilt, and rotate the video capturingdevice.
 19. A device according to claim 18 wherein the gimbal mechanismis configured to rotate the video capturing device about the axis.
 20. Adevice according to claim 19 wherein the gimbal mechanism is furtherconfigured to tilt the video capturing device over a range of betweenabout 30 degrees below a horizontal plane and about 90 degrees above thehorizontal plane.
 21. A device according to claim 18 wherein the gimbalmechanism is operably engaged with the transceiver module and isresponsive to a movement command from the remotely disposed stationreceived via the transceiver module.
 22. A device according to claim 18further comprising a motion sensor device operably engaged with thegimbal mechanism, the gimbal mechanism being responsive to the motionsensor device to pan and tilt the video capturing device such that videodata is captured where a motion is detected in the scene.
 23. A deviceaccording to claim 2 further comprising a plurality of video capturingdevices operably engaging the transceiver module, each video capturingdevice being configured to capture video data over an angular field ofview, wherein the plurality of video capturing devices are disposedwithin the housing and configured so as to capture video data over a 360degree field of view about the housing.
 24. A device according to claim23 wherein each video capturing device is configured to capture videodata over about a 90 degree field of view and the plurality of videocapturing devices is configured to be at least one of selectivelyactuatable, simultaneously actuatable, and sequentially actuatable. 25.A device according to claim 2 further comprising an antenna operablyengaged with the transceiver module and adapted to facilitate wirelesscommunication between the transceiver module and the remotely disposedstation.
 26. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a tetheroperably engaged with the housing and configured to allow at least oneof retrieval of the housing, movement of the housing, and positionaladjustment of the housing following deployment of the monitoring device.27. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a sound sourceoperably engaged with the housing and configured to emit sound.
 28. Adevice according to claim 1 further comprising an elongate member havinga first end configured to be operably engaged with the housing and anopposing second end adapted to be held by an operator, the elongatemember being configured to remotely support the housing, via the secondend thereof, at a distance from the second end.
 29. A device accordingto claim 1 further comprising a spatial orientation device operablyengaged with the video capturing device and configured to cooperatetherewith so as to associate a spatial orientation with the capturedvideo data and thereby spatially orient the scene with respect to thevideo capturing device and the housing.
 30. A device according to claim29 wherein the spatial orientation device further comprises at least oneof a Global Positioning System (GPS) device and a compass device.
 31. Adevice according to claim 29 wherein the spatial orientation device isfurther configured to at least one of associate geodetic data regardingthe housing with the captured video data and associate a compass headingof the scene, with respect to the housing, with the captured video data.32. A device according to claim 29 wherein the spatial orientationfurther comprises at least one of a position, a degree heading withrespect to a compass, and a compass heading.
 33. A device according toclaim 1 further comprising a cross-hair generator operably engaged withthe video capturing device and configured to cooperate therewith so asto associate a cross-hair indicator with the captured video data tothereby orient the scene with respect to the video capturing device. 34.A device according to claim 1 further comprising a range-determiningdevice operably engaged with the video capturing device and configuredto cooperate therewith so as to associate a distance of an object withinthe scene, from the housing, with the captured video data.
 35. A methodof viewing a scene from a station disposed remotely thereto, said methodcomprising: deploying a monitoring device to the scene, the monitoringdevice comprising a video capturing device and a transceiver moduleoperably engaged with and disposed within a self-righting housing; andreceiving video data of the scene at the remotely disposed station fromthe video capturing device, via the transceiver module, the video datathereby providing a remote visual depiction of the scene.
 36. A methodaccording to claim 35 further comprising establishing a wirelesscommunication link with the monitoring device via the transceiver moduleprior to receiving video data of the scene.
 37. A method according toclaim 35 wherein the monitoring device further comprises a power sourceoperably engaging at least one of the video capturing device and thetransceiver module and the method further comprises actuating the videocapturing device with the power source so as to initiate capturing ofvideo data of the scene by the video capturing device.
 38. A methodaccording to claim 35 wherein the monitoring device further comprises alight source operably engaged with the transceiver module and the methodfurther comprises actuating the light source so as to illuminate thescene.
 39. A method according to claim 35 wherein the video capturingdevice is configured to be at least one of automatically focused andmanually focused in response to a focus command from the remotelydisposed station received via the transceiver module and the methodfurther comprises focusing the video capturing device with respect tothe scene.
 40. A method according to claim 35 wherein the monitoringdevice further comprises a motion sensor operably engaged with the videocapturing device and the method further comprises actuating the videocapturing device upon detection by the motion sensor of a motion in thescene so as to initiate capturing of video data of the scene by thevideo capturing device.
 41. A method according to claim 35 wherein themonitoring device further comprises an audio sensor operably engagedwith the transceiver module and configured to capture audio data fromthe scene and the method further comprises receiving audio data of thescene at the remotely disposed station from the audio sensor, via thetransceiver module, so as to facilitate remote aural monitoring of thescene.
 42. A method according to claim 35 wherein the monitoring devicefurther comprises a chemical sensor operably engaged with thetransceiver module and configured to capture chemical composition datafrom the scene and the method further comprises receiving chemicalcomposition data of the scene at the remotely disposed station from thechemical sensor, via the transceiver module, so as to facilitate remotechemical monitoring of the scene.
 43. A method according to claim 35wherein the monitoring device further comprises a self-destructiondevice operably engaged with the transceiver module and configured to beat least one of automatically activated and manually activated inresponse to a destruct command from the remotely disposed stationreceived via the transceiver module and the method further comprisesdestroying the monitoring device by activating the self-destructiondevice.
 44. A method according to claim 35 wherein the monitoring devicefurther comprises a gimbal mechanism operably engaged between the videocapturing device and the housing and configured to at least one of pan,tilt, and rotate the video capturing device and the method furthercomprises panning and tilting the video capturing device with respect tothe scene.
 45. A method according to claim 44 wherein the gimbalmechanism is further configured to be manually actuated in response to amovement command from the remotely disposed station received via thetransceiver module and the method further comprises actuating the gimbalmechanism from the remotely disposed station, via the transceivermodule, so as to pan and tilt the video capturing device with respect tothe scene.
 46. A method according to claim 44 wherein the monitoringdevice further comprises a motion sensor operably engaged with thegimbal mechanism and the method further comprises actuating the gimbalmechanism so as to pan and tilt the video capturing device in responseto the motion detector detecting a motion in the scene to therebyinitiate capturing of video data by the video capturing device fromwhere the motion is detected in the scene.
 47. A method according toclaim 35 wherein the monitoring device further comprises a plurality ofvideo capturing devices operably engaging the transceiver module, witheach video capturing device being configured to capture video data overan angular field of view, and disposed within the housing so as tocapture video data over a 360 degree field of view about the housing andthe method further comprises selectively actuating one of the videocapturing devices so as to capture video data of the scene within thefield of view of the actuated video capturing device.
 48. A methodaccording to claim 47 further comprising substantially simultaneouslyactuating the plurality of video capturing devices so as to capturevideo data of the scene over a 360 degree field of view about thehousing.
 49. A method according to claim 47 further comprisingsequentially actuating the video capturing devices so as to capturevideo data of the scene over a continuous field of view scan about thehousing.
 50. A method according to claim 35 wherein the monitoringdevice further comprises an antenna operably engaged with thetransceiver module and establishing a wireless communication linkfurther comprises establishing a wireless communication link with thetransceiver module of the monitoring device via the antenna.
 51. Amethod according to claim 35 wherein the monitoring device furthercomprises a spatial orientation device operably engaged with the videocapturing device and the method further comprises associating a spatialorientation with the captured video data to thereby spatially orient thescene with respect to the video capturing device.
 52. A method accordingto claim 51 wherein associating a spatial orientation with the capturedvideo data further comprises determining the spatial orientation with atleast one of a Global Positioning System (GPS) device and a compassdevice.
 53. A method according to claim 51 wherein associating a spatialorientation with the captured video data further comprises associatingat least one of geodetic data regarding the housing and a compassheading of the scene, with respect to the housing, with the capturedvideo data.
 54. A method according to claim 51 wherein associating aspatial orientation with the captured video data further comprisesassociating at least one of a position, a degree heading with respect toa compass, and a compass heading with the captured video data.
 55. Amethod according to claim 35 further comprising associating a cross-hairindicator with the captured video data, the cross-hair indicator beingprovided by a cross-hair generator operably engaged with the videocapturing device, to thereby orient the scene with respect to the videocapturing device.
 56. A method according to claim 35 further comprisingassociating a distance of an object within the scene, from the housing,with the captured video data, the distance being determined with arange-determining device operably engaged with the video capturingdevice.
 57. A deployable monitoring device comprising: a self-rightinghousing; and a video capturing device operably engaged with theself-righting housing and configured to capture an image external to theself-righting housing.
 58. A method of remotely viewing an image, saidmethod comprising: deploying a monitoring device comprising a videocapturing device and a transceiver module operably engaged with aself-righting housing; and receiving an image of a scene external to theself-righting housing, the image being captured by the video capturingdevice, at a station remotely disposed with respect to the housing, viathe transceiver module.